TRIP TO KALACH-ON-DON

     In June 14 we visited The Tabernacle Church in the town of Kalach-on-Don. The pastor of this church, Valerij Ostrinskij, has been serving God in this town for about three years along with his wife Ludmila. God rewarded them with two wonderful children: one is 7 years old, and another one is 10 moths. This couple responded to God's call and moved from Volgograd to Kalach-on-Don to preach the Gospel there and support and encourage those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

     Our team was invited there to participate in a solemn service, dedicated to celebration of Pentecostal Day. It was a great blessing and a privilege to receive such invitation. We accepted it gladly. From our group only 12 people could go there, because students are having their session at the University in full swing now.

     We already visited this church in June 2001. This time we were really glad to meet familiar people. Also, we got acquainted with many new believers. No doubt, the church in Kalach-on-Don is growing and becoming stronger.
In the beginning of the service there was performed the program prepared by the believers of The Tabernacle Church. After that, there was our turn. Unfortunately, many things, we had prepared, we couldn't perform because of the lack of time. We had only two hours, and exactly at 04:00 p.m. the church had to leave the rented hall. Nevertheless, we can boldly say that the holyday was not spoilt. We praised the Lord with our singing in different languages and dialects. Three our students from Kenya even performed a dancing number. This day Oleg Alkin, a graduate of the New Life Bible College, shared the Word with the congregation. He spoke about God's love, telling people a biblical story of a lady, how Jesus forgave her and changed her life. He preached that Jesus is alive, that today, just as 2000 years ago, He shows His mercy and gives limitless forgiveness to anyone who comes to Him. Through this Word the Holy Spirit touched the hearts of people, and some of them even shed tears.

     After the service our team was communicating with the members of the church. Somebody shared his testimony of how he turned to the Lord, somebody asked for prayer support. We pray for this city and this church because it's God's desire that His children would support each other. We thank God for His grace and open heavens above us, that today we can freely preach the Holy Gospel!

Visit the web-site of the Tabernacle Church at:
www.skinia-hve.narod.ru